Cigar-lighting device



F. A. ADAMS.

CIGAR LIGHTING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.20, 1919.

1,373,583, Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

e): ATTORNEY UNITED STATES FRANK A. ADAMS, OF ROCHESTER, NEW- YORK, ASSIGNOR To SHUR P OF ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YOR PATENT OFFICE."

ODUCTS, INC.

CIGAR-LIGHTING- DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 5, 1921.

Application filed. August 20, 1919. Serial No. 318,800.

My invention relates to electrically heated devices, more particularly of the type including a heating unit that is insertible into and removable from a socket, the unit being inserted to close an electric circuit and to heat it to the required degree, after which it can be removed and used. An instance of I one practical application of the invention is an electric cigar lighter, adapted for use on automobiles, and one of the purposes of the improvement is to improve such structures so that the device can be handled without dan er of burning the user.

lVfore particularly, the object of the invention is to afi'ord heat insulating or heat dissipating means between the electrlcal heating unit and the handle by which it is held, so as to prevent the handle from becoming excessively heated. A further purpose is to accomplish this without making a bulky or clumsy device, as it is important for such purposes as automobile cigar lighters that the contrivance be compact and easy to handle, and that it requires little space when not in use.

Another object of the invention is to improve the construction of the heating unit, so as to bring about quick and uniform heating with the least amount of electrical energy.

Still an additional object of the inven-- tion is to, construct a socket, into which the heating unit is inserted, in such a way as to render the closing of the circuit and with drawal of the heating unit, a simple and at the same time certain operation.

The invention also accomplishes other purposes as will appear from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawing, in which:

Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly in section', showing the heating unit in itsnormal position in the socket, with the clrcult open:

Fig. 2 is an enlarged sectional v1ew of the heating unit and handle portion, and

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional v1ew of the socket.

The structure herein disclosed is intended merely as lllustrative of the invention, and not as confining it within the limits of the details of the drawings, and while I will describe what I have found to be a preferred embodiment, there are other means which can be designed to accomplish the same ends. Referring more particularly to the drawings, A des gnates the instrument board of an automobile or vehicle, provided with the socket B which has an electrical terminal C at its inner end. The terminal C is in the form of a screw, having a head with an insulating bushing, the latter provided with a peripheral groove, which receives the small end of a conical spring, the larger end E of which is'freely movable within the socket B to engage the heating unit. The large end E of the springis preferably slightly less in size than the inner diameter of the socket, so that the wall of the socket forms a guide for the spring and prevents it from moving unevenly or becoming improperly positioned.

e heating unit comprising a c lindrical housing F, which is cutaway at to afford access to a carbon element H. The

housing F has a head I at one end formed of any suitable insulating material, and with a central opening in which is secured a metallic contact J which engages the termlnal C when inserted within the socket B. The other end of the housing F is provided interiorly with a metallic collar K, the housmg being attached thereto by a projection L stamped inwardly to engage a. recess in the collar. The collar K has a central openmg and receives a metal contact member M which engages the adjacent end of the carbon element H. The ends of the carbon element H are tapered or conical, and engage correspondingly slfiped recesses in the contact blocks J and Each end of the carbon element is coated with a layer of conducting material such as copper which is substantially cO-eXtensiVe with the surface that is engaged by the contact. The copper coating is preferably obtained by dipping the carbon element in a copper solution, and serves to-bring about an intimate electrical contact, causing the current to travel toward the center of the carbon quickly and uniformly and thus heating the carbon in a minimum time.

The handle portion comprises a hollow gagement with the carbon element.

c lindrical member N, affording a chamber (l and surrounding the cylinder N is a handle proper, designated by P, and consisting of any suitable material such as what is commerically known as bakelite. Arranged between the handle and heating unit is a heat insulating or heat dissipating means, and to accomplish this, I preferably attach the handle portion to theheating unit by connecting means that prevents the hand engaging portion P from becoming excessively heated. This is accomplished in my preferred arrangement, by a metallic coil Q, one end of which is attached to the collar K by engaging a threaded portion thereon, and the other end of which en ages a threaded ortion on an enlargement of the cylinder $1. This arrangement affords a substantlal air .space between the handle and heatlng unit for coolin the handle.

The contact is preferably in yieldable engagement with the carbon element, and this is accomplished by attaching to the contact M a rod S which extends into the chamber 0. At its opposite end, the rod S is provided with a head T, which is engaged by a spring arranged within the chamber, and acting to maintain the contact in en The housin F is provided with a boss or enlargement 5 cooperating with a slot in the socket F. Said slot includes a longitudinal portion W and a transverse portion X, which extends laterally from the longitudinal portion W and is inclined toward the outer end of the socket. The purpose of the inclined.

lateral slot or cutaway portion is to lock the heating unit in the socket when not in use, and the inclined inner wall of the cutaway portion X permits of closing the circuit to the V heating unit by merely pushing in on the handle. Such inward pressure forces the boss V against the inclined wall of the slot X and thereby rotates the heating unit until the boss V is in line with the longitudinal portion, and further pressure moves it longitudinally and closes the circuit. It will be understood that the spring E holds the boss V against the end of the slot X when not in use, and to operate the device, the heating unit is forced inwardly against the action of spring E until contact J engages the terminal .C for a sufiicient length of time to heat the carbon element H. The heating unit is then withdrawn to light a cigar or cigarette, which is inserted through the cutaway portion G to engage the heated carbon. The electrical circuit is completed b grounding through the collar K, housing and instrument board A.

While I have described a particular form of the invention, it is to be understood that it is susceptible of modifications, without departing from the fundamental concept. of

the improvement, as set forth in the following claims.

I claim:

1. The combination with an electrical heating unit, of a handle portion independent of the heating unit, and a coil separate and independent from the handle portion and connecting the handle portion and said unit.

2. The combination with an electrical heating unit, of a handle portion independent of the heating unit, and. a metallic coil having one end attached to said unit and its opposite end attached to the handle portion, said coil being separate and independent from the handle portion.

3.- The combination with an electrical heating unit, comprising, a carbon element,

of a handle portion having a chamber therein, a metallic coil connecting said heating unit and handle portions, a movable contact engaging oneend of the carbon element, a rod passing through said coil with one end engaging said movable contact and the opposite end entering said chamber in the handle portion, and means within the chamber actuating said rod and movable contact the chamber actuating said rod and movable contact toward the carbon element.

5. The combination with an electrical heating unit, of a socket therefor, and a conical spring having its smaller end secured to the base of the socket and its larger end movablewithin the socket .to engage said unit.- i 6. Thecombination with an electrical heating unit having a boss at one side thereof, of a socket having a cutaway portion to .receive said boss, said cutaway portion embodying an opening extending longitudinally of the socket, and a transverse locking opening extending laterally from the longitudinal opening and inclined toward the open end of the socket.

7 The combination with an electrical heating unit, of a handle portion arranged in close proximity to the heating unit and independently thereof, and connecti means between the handle portion and heatmg unit, said connecting means serving to support the handle portion and to prevent it from becoming excessively heated through proximityto the heating unit.

8; The combination with an electrical close proximity to the heating unit and independent thereof, and a metallic coil having one end attached to said unit and its opposite end attached to the handle portion, said coil being separate and independent from the handle portion and serving to prevent the latter from becoming excessively heated through proximity to the heating unit.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto signed my name.

FRANK A. ADAMS. 

